If you’re searching for the ultimate showstopper to brighten up your holiday table, the Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! is your new go-to. This delightfully whimsical cake features layers of soft, buttery vanilla cake swirled with charming pastel colors, all wrapped up in a dreamy buttercream frosting and topped with festive Easter sprinkles or candy eggs. It’s as fun to make as it is to eat, and guaranteed to create smiles with every slice—whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or simply want to add a splash of springtime joy to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how just a handful of pantry staples and a few special touches come together in the Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating that light, fluffy crumb, and the dreamy pastel colors that make this cake so festive.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake, giving it just the right structure and softness.
- Baking powder: Ensures every layer rises beautifully and stays tender.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Adds rich flavor and that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a fine, tender crumb.
- Large eggs (room temperature): Bind everything together and add richness.
- Vanilla extract: Gives a comforting, classic aroma—swap in some almond extract for a subtle twist!
- Whole milk: Keeps the cake moist and fluffy—room temperature is best for even mixing.
- Pastel food coloring (pink, yellow, blue, green): The secret to those cheerful, swirly layers.
- Buttercream frosting: Creamy, dreamy, and perfect for swirling over the finished cake.
- Easter sprinkles or candy eggs: For that festive, celebratory touch on top!
How to Make Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe!
Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper—this ensures your gorgeous layers pop right out without sticking. Taking a moment here makes assembling your Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! a breeze later on.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This simple step guarantees your cake layers bake up evenly, with the perfect crumb and a hint of bounce in every bite.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This is where the magic starts—the air you whip in now will help your Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! bake up sky-high.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract (and almond extract, if you’d like a little extra flavor). Your batter will look silky and luscious—just what you want!
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. This keeps the cake tender and prevents overmixing.
Step 6: Color and Swirl the Batter
Divide your batter evenly into four bowls and tint each with your pastel food coloring—think soft pink, sunny yellow, sky blue, and minty green. Drop spoonfuls of each color into your prepared pans, alternating shades for that signature swirl. Use a knife to gently swirl the batters together for a marbled, watercolor effect.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then gently turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely. This patience pays off with perfect, moist layers that won’t crumble when frosted.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Once your cakes are completely cool, layer and frost them generously with buttercream frosting. Finish your Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! with a sprinkle of pastel sprinkles or a scattering of candy eggs—the more playful, the better!
How to Serve Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe!
Garnishes
For a picture-perfect finish, top your cake with a generous handful of pastel sprinkles, candy eggs, or even a few edible flowers for a garden-fresh touch. These sweet decorations elevate the Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! from delicious to dazzling, and add that irresistible springtime flair.
Side Dishes
Pair your pastel masterpiece with light and refreshing sides, such as a bowl of fresh berries, a fruit salad, or a zesty lemon sorbet. These bright additions balance the richness of the cake, and make your Easter spread feel extra-special.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange slices on a tiered cake stand, or serve each piece with a little nest of candy eggs for a playful twist. For parties, cut the cake into small squares and skewer with festive toothpicks—your guests will love the surprise swirl of colors in every bite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! fresh, store any leftover slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen runs warm, pop the container in the fridge—just let the cake come to room temp before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and a layer of foil. They’ll stay delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and serving—your Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! will taste bakery-fresh.
Reheating
No need to reheat this cake, but if you prefer a slightly warm slice, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave will do the trick. Just be careful not to overheat, as the buttercream can melt quickly.
FAQs
Can I make the Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! in advance?
Absolutely! You can bake the cake layers a day ahead and keep them covered at room temperature. Frost the cake the day you plan to serve for the freshest flavor and the prettiest presentation.
What are the best food colorings for pastel shades?
Gel food colorings work best for vibrant yet soft pastels. Just a tiny dab in each bowl of batter gives you that dreamlike swirl without thinning the mixture.
Can I use a boxed cake mix for this recipe?
Certainly! If you’re in a hurry, a white cake mix is a great shortcut—just prepare according to the package directions, then follow the coloring and swirling steps for a festive finish.
How do I keep the cake moist?
Don’t overbake, and be sure to let your cakes cool completely before frosting. Storing the cake in an airtight container also helps lock in moisture and keep the crumb soft.
Is the Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! suitable for kids to help make?
Absolutely—it’s a fantastic family project! Kids will have a blast swirling the colorful batters and decorating the finished cake with sprinkles and candy eggs.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like seeing your loved ones’ faces light up when you bring out the Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! It’s a joyful, memory-making dessert that’s as delightful to bake as it is to eat. Give it a try this Easter, and let your kitchen fill with color, laughter, and a little bit of magic!
Print
Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe! Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Pastel Easter Cake is a delightful and colorful dessert perfect for celebrating spring and the Easter holiday. Featuring a moist, tender crumb with a beautiful pastel swirl effect, this cake is layered with rich buttercream frosting and decorated with festive Easter sprinkles or candy eggs. It’s a fun, visually stunning treat that’s simple enough for bakers of all skill levels to enjoy making.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Food Coloring and Decoration
- Pastel food coloring: pink, yellow, blue, green
- 3 cups buttercream frosting
- Easter sprinkles or candy eggs for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare Pans and Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper to ensure easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, to incorporate air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully combine. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients alternated with the milk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cake.
- Color the Batter: Divide the batter evenly into four separate bowls. Tint each portion with a different pastel food coloring: pink, yellow, blue, and green.
- Create the Swirl Effect: Drop spoonfuls of each colored batter alternately into the prepared pans to create a marbled pastel look. Use a knife to gently swirl the colors together without fully blending.
- Bake the Cakes: Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean indicating doneness.
- Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once completely cooled, frost the layers with buttercream frosting and decorate with pastel sprinkles or candy eggs to enhance the Easter theme.
Notes
- For extra flavor, substitute half the vanilla extract with almond extract.
- The cake can be baked a day ahead, stored covered at room temperature before frosting to save time on the day of serving.
- To simplify the process, a white cake mix can be used as a base instead of making the batter from scratch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
